Kenyan duo headlines strong fields for Istanbul Marathon
The Kenyan duo is bound to face tough opposition from opponents who will also be searching for glory in the streets of Istanbul.
The duo of Reuben Kipyego and Beatrice Cheptoo headline strong fields for the Istanbul Marathon scheduled for Sunday, November 5.
Kipyego is the fastest in the men’s field with a Personal Best time of 2:03:55. The Kenyan is also the fastest runner ever entered into the Istanbul Marathon.
The 27-year-old Kenyan achieved his personal best in Milan where he was runner-up in 2021. He finished third at the Rotterdam Marathon with 2:05:12 in 2022. It will be the first time the Kenyan competes in Istanbul and he will face a tough field.
Ethiopia’s Gadise Shumie currently is the second fastest runner on the start list with a PB time of 2:04:59. With this time he won the Sevilla Marathon earlier this year, improving his former personal best by well over four minutes.
Although already 31 years old his international career only began two years ago, when Shumie won his debut marathon in Montreal with 2:09:25. He will travel to Istanbul unbeaten in the marathon so far.
On his part, Robert Kipkemboi will enjoy the mastery of the course since it was in Istanbul where he dropped his last remaining rival a year ago and went on to win the race in 2:10:18.
He will be returning as the defending champion joined by compatriot Moses Koech who looks promising among a number of debutants.
With regard to her international career, Beatrice Cheptoo can still be considered a newcomer. She ran her first race outside Kenya less than 24 months ago when she finished third in Malaga with 2:25:20.
A year ago, she took the Melbourne marathon in January and then improved significantly to 2:22:28 when she was third in Doha.
With this time the Kenyan currently is the fastest woman in the field. 23-year-old Sifan Melaku will be looking to challenge the 30-year-old Kenyan.
When the Ethiopian clocked her PB of 2:23:49 in Seville over three years ago she had just turned 20. This summer Melaku showed fine form when she won the Stockholm Marathon.
Meanwhile, including races at shorter distances, a total of 45,000 runners are expected to take part in the 45th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon.
Around 4,500 of them will run the classic distance. Turkey’s major marathon race features a unique course over two continents, starting in Asia and finishing in Europe.
posted Wednesday October 18th
by Abigael Wuafula